Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Treatment

The internationally recognized experts at the OSUCCC – James believe the best way to treat patients and manage their disease successfully is to be at the forefront of delivering the latest, most effective treatments available and by working with nationally and internationally renowned experts to develop the very best treatments and programs for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

Plasma Therapy

Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood that carries all of the blood cells, hormones, enzymes and nutrients to the body. The OSUCCC – James experts use two different kinds of plasma therapy for TTP patients, depending on their specific diagnosis. Patients receive plasma therapy in the hospital immediately after their OSUCCC – James subspecialists diagnose the disorder.

Fresh Frozen Plasma Therapy

Patients with inherited TTP receive fresh frozen plasma, which is injected into a vein through an IV (intravenous) line. The fresh plasma replaces missing or altered ADAMTS13 enzymes.

Plasma Exchange Therapy

Patients with acquired TTP receive something called plasma exchange therapy. This kind of therapy removes proteins in the blood that damage the ADAMTS13 enzyme, then replaces the enzymes. During this therapy, blood is removed through a needle in an arm vein, and plasma is separated out by running it through a cell separator. The separator then returns the patient’s blood back to the body, but replaces (exchanges) the removed plasma with healthy donated plasma.

If plasma exchange is not available, a patient with acquired TTP may receive fresh frozen plasma until plasma exchange therapy is available. Plasma exchange therapy is also sometimes called plasmapheresis.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura & Clinical Trials

For blood disorder patients, clinical trials mean hope.

The OSUCCC – James leads some of the world’s most advanced, sophisticated clinical trials for blood disorders. In fact, they have more than 500 open clinical trials at any given time, with some of the world’s latest discoveries available to clinical trial patients right here in Columbus, Ohio. Because of this, patients have access to more of this nation’s leading-edge, targeted treatments and drugs than at most hospitals in America.

Who Should Participate in a Clinical Trial?

Patients can enter clinical trials before, during or after starting their individual treatments.

The OSUCCC – James leads some of the world’s most advanced, sophisticated clinical trials for blood disorders and is one of only a few U.S. cancer centers funded by the National Cancer Institute to conduct phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs. These trials go only to centers that demonstrate an exemplary capacity for research and clinical care, the expertise to deliver the latest in treatments and the infrastructure to interpret and track treatment results.

If you’ve been diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or another blood disorder, would like a second opinion, would like more information on available clinical trials, or would like to speak with a blood disorder specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.